Navy power gin isn’t to be trifled with. At 57percentABV, these gins imply enterprise, however additionally they have a lot extra happening in flavour, aroma and texture. So if you happen to like gin, you’re going to like navy power.
I have to confess, I’m a complete mug for navy power gin. It not solely has a higher depth than common power gin, it additionally provides you a transparent perception into the talent of the distiller.
Most gin out there may be between 37% and 45percentABV, whereas navy power gin (you may learn extra about navy power gin right here) should be at or above 57percentABV.
These percentages are achieved by actually watering down the distillate that comes from the nonetheless.
There’s nothing flawed with that—the truth is, at 76percentABV, you wouldn’t need to drink a lot of the stuff that comes from a double-distilled batch of recent gin.
But water does assist to mood the warmth you generally get from a high-alcohol spirit.
At 57%, much less tempering and smoothing comes from the added water, so the flavours, textures and aromas are all right down to the talent of the distiller chopping the spirit correctly and ensuring the botanicals are all balanced.
Some of our favorite navy power gins
These are all craft gins handmade in small artisanal distilleries in Australia. The overwhelming majority of huge, mainstream distilleries don’t make a navy power gin for no matter purpose. But you’ll discover many impartial producers will.
Here are a few of our Aussie craft favourites.
Anther Distillery’s Goddess Strength Gin – 58percentABV
From North Geelong in Victoria, Anther (named after an anatomical a part of a flower) makes a spread of very good gins, however their OP gin Goddess Strength is simply very good.
Smooth as silk, powered-up juniper and citrus aromas as flavours, and an afterburner of woodiness and natural notes, it is a grasp stroke from the distillery’s founder and head distiller Dr Dervilla McGowan.
And though you most likely gained’t be capable of style all of them, the 20+ botanicals create a holistically scrumptious gin excellent for a martini.
Check out our full assessment of Anther’s Goddess Strength Gin on our common column with craft spirits hero Nip of Courage.
Naught Distillery’s Overproof Gin – 57.4percentABV
This northern Melbourne distillery began out in early 2020. What with bush fires, then floods and naturally Covid, it was a difficult begin for owner-distiller (and ex-pro basketballer) Chris Cameron.
However, his wonderful vary of gins (you may learn our assessment on 4 of them right here) have stood the take a look at of robust occasions.
Naught’s Overproof Gin, blessed with botanicals like pink woman apples, contemporary lime and pink grapefruit for an intense citrus hit, this gin has a splendidly oily texture to it.
Citrus, earthiness and a calmly bitter end make this an ideal candidate for a corpse reviver #2 or an aviator.
Karu Distillery’s Lightning Gin – 57.5percentABV
From the Blue Mountains west of Sydney, the husband-and-wife crew that run Karu craft rum and a rare chilli vodka https://www.nipofcourage.com/post/karu-marita in addition to their fantastic gins.
Head distiller Ally Ayres has one way or the other made her navy power gin—Lightning—so clean that it drinks like a regular-proof spirit, although the extreme flavours and deep texture give away it’s excessive ABV.
Double Juniper, triple tiers of citrus with lemon myrtle, ruby grapefruit and mandarin create a lightweight vibrant flavour. But the rose geranium stands at this citrus stadium and performs a floral earthy tune in your tongue with an extended end.
Try this neat with a drop of water, in a tall G&T or in a really dry martini.
Read our full assessment of Lightning right here.
Ester Distillery’s Strong Gin – 57percentABV
I really like how this Marrickville gin doesn’t mince its phrases. It’s gin and it’s sturdy! But, as you’d hope, there’s much more to this sturdy gin from the palms and minds of owner-distillers Felix Clark and Corinna Kovner.
This enigmatic couple have used, amongst different issues, native finger lime, a lot of juniper, coriander and cardamom to create a gin that begins vibrant and citrusy then turns deep, darkish and savoury. Macadamia nut brings a lot of oil to the equation so the spirit’s wealthy and thick and coats the mouth luxuriantly.
Check out our full assessment of Ester’s Strong Gin right here.
Wolf Lane Distillery’s Navy Strength Gin – 58percentABV
Based in Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, Wolf Lane Distillery has put a suitably and subtly tropical twist on their gins. Co-owners Samuel Kennis and Darren Barber opened the distillery in 2018 on the again of the success of their two bars on the town—Three Wolves and Flamingo’s.
Wolf Lane’s Navy Strength Gin has a deceptively gentle fruity aroma that provides solution to a wealthy, syrupy texture, loads of spice and juniper with hints of citrus and eucalyptus in the direction of the top.
This gin makes a imply martini however can also be the enterprise in longer cocktails too.
Hold Fast Distillery’s Man O’ War Gin – 58percentABV
If anybody’s going to create a superb navy power gin, you’d hope it will be an ex-sailor within the Australian Navy.
From the basement stomach of his lovely renovated pub within the little city of Braidwood (the Braidwood Hotel the truth is), veteran Gavin Gillin is creating some beautiful spirits—gin, but additionally vodka, liqueurs and whisky—in his 500l copper-stainless hybrid column nonetheless.
Juniper, coriander seeds, grains of paradise, cubeb berries, orris root and on-trend yuzu peel all go in the direction of the high-speed citrus and pepper notes that fill your senses over a slight floral layer that comes out extra the longer you style.
There’s an excellent warmth to this gin, spiky on the tongue whereas the remainder of the mouth is coated with the lengthy end to this highly effective spirit. Wonderful in a G&T and even higher in a gimlet, this one’s a keeper.
Braidwood is a stunning city nicely price a go to, and naturally, the Braidwood Hotel is a should for dinner and drinks. Gavin can also be within the means of placing lodging within the pub. Oh and the sweetshop up the highway is superb.
We discovered this distillery purely by likelihood as we have been getting back from a visit to the Sapphire Coast in southern NSW. You can learn extra about what we acquired as much as right here.
Eumundi Distillery’s Folktale Navy Strength Gin – 57.1percentABV
Also in a grand outdated pub in somewhat nation city, however this time on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, the Imperial Hotel performs host to the market city of Eumundi’s first distillery.
Owner Paul Thomas and his head distiller Mick Reif have created a spread of spirits below the enjoyable Folktale model for Eumundi Distillery. But the navy power gin stands head and shoulders—or maybe a fox’s brush—above the remainder.
Fresh native ginger, lime, lemon myrtle and a wholesome dose of juniper go to creating this OP gin. Lots of lime aromas and a contact of aniseed kick issues off alongside that earthy spicy juniper.
Lime leaps out extra whenever you style whereas warmth from the ginger (not the excessive ABV) warms the mouth all through the lengthy, tingly end that carries with it hints of parma violets.
If there was ever a gin made for a gin fizz, it’s acquired to be this one. Though it will additionally work properly in an aviator.
Eumundi is a city everybody ought to go to no less than as soon as. Especially after they’re hungry. To show my level, right here’s our video of the place you must eat whenever you’re there.
And there’s a lot extra to do on this enjoyable little city, so between sips of this wonderful navy power gin, try extra of our tales on Eumundi and the Sunshine Coast right here.